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THESIS GUIDELINES
FOR THE
MASTER OF FINE ARTS
IN
CERAMIC ARTS
August 2009
PREFACE
The document contains a program overview and guidelines for students to use in preparing the written
MFA Thesis. The guidelines include Graduate School administrative procedures, thesis proposal
requirements, and stylistic information for the writing and organization. The following guidelines and
regulations take precedence over all guidelines for theses published prior to June 2009. The guidelines
contain specific departmental requirements for the MFA thesis.
Current information regarding curriculum requirements, and additions or changes to the curriculum
information are presented in the Hood College Catalog, which is also available on the web at
www.hood.edu.
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
SECTION I
PROGRAM OVERVIEW
General Information ...............................................................................................................4
Introduction to the MFA Thesis Research ...........................................................................4
The MFA Thesis ......................................................................................................................4
Components of the final thesis project ............................................................................4
Purpose of the MFA Thesis Research ............................................................................5
Credit Requirements ..............................................................................................................5
Suggested Sequence for Required ARTS Courses ................................................................5
Typical Semester Offerings of Required Courses .................................................................6
Studio Facilities ........................................................................................................................6
SECTION II
PROGRESSION AND ADMINISTRATIVE PROCEDURES FOR MFA THESIS
Develop an Area of Interest ...................................................................................................7
ARTS 570 Individual Studio Research .................................................................................7
ARTS 576 Thesis Preparation ...............................................................................................8
Select a Thesis Adviser ..................................................................................................8
Select a Reading Committee ..........................................................................................9
Develop the Thesis Proposal ...........................................................................................9
Defend the Thesis Proposal ...........................................................................................11
Submit Thesis Proposal to the Graduate School ..........................................................11
ARTS 580 Thesis Research ...................................................................................................12
Registration for Thesis Credits ......................................................................................12
Continuing Registration ................................................................................................13
Concurrent Registration ...............................................................................................13
Approval to Register for ARTS 595 ..............................................................................13
Application for Graduation ...........................................................................................14
ARTS 595 Thesis Exhibition .................................................................................................14
MFA Thesis Defense .....................................................................................................14
MFA Thesis Exhibition .................................................................................................14
MFA Thesis Lecture ......................................................................................................14
MFA Oral Thesis Defense .............................................................................................15
Approval of MFA Thesis .............................................................................................15
Grade for Thesis ..........................................................................................................16
Documentation of Thesis .............................................................................................16
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SECTION III
PREPARATION FOR THESIS PUBLICATION
Introduction ..................................................................................................................17
THESIS REQUIREMENTS FOR ALL MFA STUDENTS
Copyright ......................................................................................................................17
Copyright Waiver .........................................................................................................17
Acknowledgment of Hood College ..............................................................................17
Thesis Paper and Printing .............................................................................................18
Headings, Spacing, and Margins ..................................................................................18
Binding and Distribution ..............................................................................................18
Deadlines ......................................................................................................................18
Further Information ......................................................................................................19
SECTION IV
PUBLICATION GUIDELINES FOR HOOD COLLEGE MASTER OF FINE ARTS THESES
Preliminary Page ..........................................................................................................20
Content Sections ...........................................................................................................20
APPENDICES
Copyright Letter Example ............................................................................................22
Sample Title Page for Thesis Proposal ..........................................................................23
Sample Title Page for Completion of Final Draft ........................................................24
Sample Title Page for M.F.A. Thesis ............................................................................25
Title Page Signature Guidelines ...................................................................................25
HOOD COLLEGE BENEFICIAL-HODSON LIBRARY
Instructions for Binding .....................................................................................................26
Guidelines for Archiving and Electronic Publishing (Required for Thesis)
Guidelines for Submission of MFA Theses in Electronic Format ...............................27
Guidelines for Theses in Digital Format .......................................................................27
Supporting Documents for Digital Format ....................................................................28
Print and Electronic Access to Theses in Electronic Format ........................................28
M.F.A. Theses as Compound Documents .....................................................................28
Supporting Documents for Compound Documents ......................................................28
Specifications of Hardware and Software Versions Required to Run the
Electronic Component ......................................................................................29
Disk Specifications ........................................................................................................29
Print and Electronic Access to and Distribution of Compound Document ...................29
M.F.A. Theses on CD-ROM .........................................................................................29
Supporting Documents for CD-ROM ...........................................................................29
Print and Electronic Access To and Distribution of CD's .............................................30
Additional Requirements for Submission .....................................................................30
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SECTION I
PROGRAM OVERVIEW
General Information
The Master of Fine Arts degree in Ceramic Arts is the joint responsibility of the Hood College Graduate
School and the Department of Art and Archaeology with the oversight of the Director of the MFA and
Graduate Certificate in Ceramic Arts. Requirements for entry, graduation and every aspect of the MFA
degree must be considered in light of the requirements of both the Graduate School and the Department
of Art and Archaeology.
The Master of Fine Arts degree provides substantial advanced study for a small number of highly
talented individuals. The program emphasizes the artistic and intellectual development of the individual
student and the creation of quality artistic works in the ceramic arts medium. Available course work in
studio production, criticism, theory, history, and professional practices emphasizes the interwoven
character of traditional and contemporary approaches in the 21st century. Candidates learn to
contextualize their work within appropriate contemporary thought and practice. The Master of Fine Arts
degree at Hood College requires 60 semester hours and is contingent upon the candidate’s successful
completion of the final thesis project encompassing ARTS 576 Thesis Preparation (3 credits), ARTS
580 Thesis Research (6 credits), and ARTS 595 Thesis Exhibition (4 credits). The final thesis project
consists of written, oral, and object components. Each component is addressed in detail within these
guidelines. The program takes a minimum of three years to complete, but must be finished within seven
years.
Introduction to the MFA Thesis Research
The Master of Fine Arts is the recognized terminal degree in studio arts. As a studio arts degree, the
granting of a Master of Fine Arts is primarily dependent on the quality and originality of the candidate’s
art. The candidate must understand and be able to communicate the work’s genesis in and its
relationship to the history of the medium, as well as, the work’s genesis in and relationship to the
candidate’s own history and development as an artist. Technical research informs and facilitates the
production of the candidate’s body of work. As a terminal degree, generally held to be the standard of
education for college and university level teaching in the arts, the Master of Fine Arts requires a research
and written component directed at furthering both the candidate’s own understanding of their creative
process and the work generated, and the understanding of an educated critical audience composed of
both artists and non-artists.
The MFA Thesis
The final thesis project for the MFA in Ceramic Arts has three components:
The object component – A public exhibition of a body of work that is the culmination of
aesthetic and technical research and application of knowledge gained during the candidate’s
program of studies and personal research;
A written thesis, including images of the candidates creative work, to be bound and retained in
the Hood College Beneficial-Hodson Library permanent collection;
A public lecture and an oral defense of the thesis project in the form of the candidate’s responses
to a final critique of the object and written components of the thesis project before a committee
of advisers, masters, faculty and candidates and the public.
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The Master of Fine Arts thesis is the culmination of a candidate’s formal education in the ceramic arts.
Thesis research is the masterwork that proves an artist has both the knowledge and skills needed to
continue working independently as a professional artist of the highest order. As a masterwork, the thesis
project gives tangible evidence that the path from apprentice to journeyman to master has been
successfully completed. In both visual and verbal form, the thesis project connects the student to an
artistic tradition that goes back centuries. Hood College maintains its responsibility to this tradition, and
to the society in which the artist will practice, by making sure that the thesis project aspires to the
highest standards and rigor within the chosen medium.
Credit Requirements
The credit requirements are listed in the Hood College Catalog. The MFA requirements are governed by
the catalogue in place at the time of the completion of the first course after acceptance into the MFA
degree program. It is the responsibility of the candidate to meet with his or her adviser early and
regularly to develop and update a program of study that conforms to the time constraints and course and
administrative requirements for completion of the MFA in Ceramic Arts.
The MFA curriculum is a year long educational program. Course offerings are available in the fall and
spring semesters, the two summer sessions and winter term. Courses offered during the summer and
winter terms are not all available during the regular semester. All required courses are offered within a
two year rotation. Elective courses may rotate on a three year schedule. Final decision about course
availability lies with Hood College. One to three Special Topics courses per year, offering variety
breadth and depth, are taught by current faculty or special visiting artists.
Core Ceramic Arts Course Requirements – 23 credits:
Glaze courses: ARTS 501, ARTS 511, ARTS 521, ARTS 504, ARTS 540
Sculpture courses: ARTS 502, ARTS 508
Throwing courses: ARTS 505, ARTS 515
Firing courses: ARTS 525, ARTS 530
History of Ceramic Arts – 3 credits
Art History Courses – 6 credits of graduate level Art History
Elective Requirements – 14 credits (including Special Topics) and independent studies added as needed.
Research Courses – 17 credits: ARTS 570, ARTS 576, ARTS 580, ARTS 595
Suggested Sequence for Required ARTS Courses
ARTS 501, ARTS 502, ARTS 511, ARTS 521, ARTS 505, ARTS 515, ARTS 525, ARTS 504,
ARTS 508, ARTS 530, ARTS 545, ARTS 540, ARTS 570, ARTS 576, ARTS 580, ARTS 595
A minimum of 14 credits must be completed before enrolling in ARTS 570 Graduate Seminar in
Personal Studio Research which is taught in the spring semester only.
A minimum of 41 credits must be completed before enrolling in ARTS 576 which is taught in the
fall semester only.
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Typical Semester Offerings of Required Courses
Fall Winter Spring Summer ARTS 501 ARTS 505 ARTS 508 ARTS 502
ARTS 502 ARTS 512 ARTS 540 ARTS 504 even years
ARTS 511 ARTS 525 ARTS 543 odd years ARTS 505
ARTS 521 ARTS 508 odd years
ARTS 530
Art History course Art History course
ARTS 576 only ARTS 570 only
ARTS 580 and ARTS 595 offered every semester as needed
Studio Facilities
Hood College graduate thesis candidates will have access to the ceramic arts studios and equipment on
campus to facilitate their research. The graduate student is encouraged to set up a personal studio and
begin to procure their own equipment and studio spaces to be ready to launch their professional careers.
At the discretion of the student and with faculty approval the use of studio and kilns off campus is
allowed. While we strive to provide for space and firing needs, the facilities and equipment must serve
the needs of all. In cases where the student elects to do a thesis that requires the use of studio facilities
outside of Hood College, locating and receiving approval to use a studio is the responsibility of the
candidate.
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SECTION II
PROGRESSION AND ADMINISTRATIVE PROCEDURES FOR MFA THESIS
The MFA degree in Ceramic Arts requires the candidate to focus on intensive independent artistic work
culminating in the MFA Thesis. Students should carefully review the most current Hood College
Catalog (also available on the Hood College web site: www.hood.edu) and seek the advice of their
academic adviser in preparation for the beginning of thesis work.
Develop an Area of Interest
Candidates should begin thinking about a direction for the MFA thesis topic early in their graduate
studies. Personal aesthetics will direct choices and guide decisions. Core courses should be completed
within the first years of study. The foundation courses offer a breadth and depth of knowledge and skill
to fill in the gaps and serve as a foundation for the development of a personal aesthetic direction.
Research papers present opportunities for preliminary investigations. Additional elective courses assist
the student to identify areas of need, explore topics of interest and help the student begin to focus in on a
thesis subject for the MFA project.
ARTS 570 INDIVIDUAL STUDIO RESEARCH
The Penultimate Project and Graduate Certificate Capstone
ARTS 570 Graduate Seminar in Personal Studio Research is the candidates’ professional semester
culminating in the penultimate exhibition leading into MFA research.
ARTS 570 serves as an evaluation course for continuation in the MFA program. The candidate for
the MFA degree in Ceramic Arts must present outstanding success in the completion of ARTS 570
in order to move forward into the thesis preparation and thesis research courses.
The completion of a thesis project is a daunting undertaking. In order to be certain a candidate has the
best preparation for his/her thesis project, the project immediately prior to the thesis must be carefully
designed with the advice of the adviser and instructors. The penultimate project must stretch and
challenge the candidate, bridge any technical or aesthetic gaps, and provide a stepping stone to the
student’s thesis project. Conceptual research and exploration of aesthetic direction are developed in the
work created for the exhibition and conveyed in the artist statement. The production and submission of a
magazine article documents the artist’s research and writing abilities in relationship to contemporary
thought. The professional development establishes the skills to manage a career in art.
Research helps the candidate understand their creative process and produce a significant body of work.
Professors, instructors, mentors, and advisers provide critiques, feedback and evaluations on the work
and process. During studio research courses, it is expected that the work and time involved in the
exhibition project will go well beyond the work and time involved in a graduate course of comparable
credit. A 3 credit studio course typically requires 50 hours of class and an additional 100 hours outside
of class. An additional 50 hours of professional development is required to establish the survival of the
candidate’s career. Therefore, the penultimate project should take a minimum of 200 hours to complete.
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Upon completion of ARTS 570 and prior to registering for ARTS 576 the following questions must be
addressed:
Does the candidate have enough academic and creative credits to begin the thesis?
Was the candidate’s penultimate project successful?
Is the candidate ready technically and aesthetically to begin a thesis project?
Successful MFA research requires a resolute, mature approach consisting of a focused goal of inquiry
and investigation. If the concepts presented in the work produced for ARTS 570 do not present a
personal aesthetic direction which communicates a focused cohesive statement, and/or the candidate’s
work is not deemed to be of sufficient quality and quantity, the problem will be referred to the MFA
Committee, made up of Hood College ceramic arts professors. The committee will determine if the
candidate should be allowed to continue in the MFA program, be placed on probation for a specific
period of time or until specified projects (creative or academic) have been successfully completed, or be
asked to leave the program.
ARTS 576 THESIS PREPARATION
ARTS 576 Thesis Preparation is a course of study to facilitate the selection of the thesis topic, the
organization of time, research to establish the validity and viability of the chosen topic and the
completion of the thesis proposal of the Masters of Fine Art Thesis at Hood College. The procedures in
planning, writing the abstract and conceptual format of the thesis, selection of the active thesis
committee, and presentation of the thesis are included. The Ceramic Arts Program requires registration
in and completion of ARTS 570 Graduate Seminar in Personal Studio Research, prior to enrolling for
ARTS 576 Thesis Preparation.
Select a Thesis Adviser
The candidate is responsible for securing a Thesis Adviser to oversee the thesis project and submitting
the thesis proposal, approved by the Reading Committee (see below), to the Graduate School. The
proposed Thesis Adviser must be a member of the Hood College faculty. Rare circumstances may
require the selection of a Thesis Adviser who is not a member of the Hood College faculty. A Thesis
adviser who is not a member of the Hood College faculty must then be approved by the Director of the
MFA and the Dean of the Graduate School. It is, in this case, the student's responsibility to forward a
curriculum vitae and three letters of recommendation in support of the Thesis Adviser to the Department
Program Director prior to registration for thesis by the student. If the Thesis Adviser is on the faculty or
staff of an accredited college or university and is engaged in research, the Director of the Program and
the Dean of the Graduate School may waive the requirement for three letters of recommendation.
Advisers are approved by consent of the Director of the MFA and Departmental faculty. The Program
Director, with the advice and consent of the Program Faculty, generally reviews the Thesis Adviser
qualifications, and gives final approval of the thesis proposal. It is expected that the Thesis Adviser will
be a Ph.D., M.F.A., or master potter experienced in the topic of thesis research.
The Graduate Council of Hood College must approve a Thesis Adviser who does not hold the Ph.D. or
M.F.A. degree. In such a case, the Director of the MFA is asked to submit a curriculum vitae and three
letters of recommendation in support of the Thesis Adviser to the Dean of the Graduate School prior to
registration for thesis by the student. The Graduate Council reviews credentials during the fall and
spring semester monthly meetings. Final approval of the Thesis Adviser is made by the Dean of the
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Graduate School, based upon the credentials of the proposed Thesis Adviser and the recommendation of
the Graduate Council.
Select a Reading Committee
The Reading Committee advises the candidate in the preparation of the MFA Thesis, evaluates the
quality of the thesis when completed, and supervises the oral defense. The approved thesis Adviser
serves as Chair of the Reading Committee. The Adviser Chair and the student, in consultation, will
identify a minimum of two additional persons to serve on the Reading Committee. At least one member
of the Committee must be a full-time equivalency (AC) faculty member in the Department of Art and
Archaeology. Additional members of the Committee may be an AC faculty member in the degree
program, another faculty member from the department, or another professional working on the research
topic. For non-members of the faculty, a curriculum vitae and one letter of recommendation must be
submitted to the Program Director, and the Dean of the Graduate School, who approve such a member.
The Reading Committee should be kept informed of progress on the thesis project, and should meet as
required to help guide the research. The Committee should meet at least twice during enrollment in
ARTS 576 Thesis Preparation, at least once each semester during enrollment in ARTS 580 Thesis
Research, at least once each semester during ARTS 595 Thesis Exhibition and at least one last time
immediately before the thesis defense. More frequent contact with faculty is recommended and
encouraged. The candidate will schedule regular meetings with the candidate’s thesis adviser during
ARTS 580 and ARTS 595. Expect that the thesis will require some degree of revision specified by
members of the committee.
The purpose of the thesis committee review meetings is three-fold:
To keep the thesis committee appraised of the work and progress of the thesis candidate
To provide the candidate the opportunity to present his or her work to the committee for
discussion and response
To function as an ongoing forum providing information for evaluations related to the progress of
individual candidates’ thesis research and the health of the MFA program.
Develop the Thesis Proposal
During ARTS 576 Thesis Preparation the candidate works with the course professor to prepare and write
the thesis proposal. The reading committee members act as resources for the candidate’s proposal
development. The candidate should plan to write more than one draft of the thesis proposal. The thesis
proposal includes but is not be limited to the sections listed below. The proposal should involve a clear
statement of what the thesis project will entail, introducing readers to the project and to the candidate’s
aesthetic vision, give a clear picture of the study, how you plan to do the research and the time frame for
completion. The committee must be able to discern whether the topic is original and of academic merit,
and be able to assess the intended path and overall feasibility of the project. The language should be
clear and concise, formal but direct. The reader should know from the opening paragraph what you
intend to study, your sources, and how you intend to make use of them.
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Title/Signature Page
The Title/Signature page documents the formal acceptance of the thesis proposal with signatures
of the candidate, reading committee, thesis adviser, dean of the graduates school (sample format
is below).
The Title/Signature page of the thesis itself is signed by the candidate, reading committee, thesis
adviser, and dean of the graduate school as final acceptance of the written thesis.
Working title: The title, which may change as your research progresses, should be clear and
succinct
Abstract
The abstract is a brief 150 word summary of your thesis proposal.
Present a brief introduction to the issue.
Make the key statement of your thesis (your hypothesis or thesis statement).
Give a summary of how you will address the issue.
Include possible implications of your work; if successfully completed, what new knowledge will
be put forth.
The abstract has to be able to stand alone and be understood separately from the thesis itself.
The abstract presents an overview of the information covered by your thesis which is used in
publications about the work.
Outline/Table of Contents for the Thesis
The outline to guide your research becomes a table of contents.
Be as specific as you can.
Delineate in an organized manner the information to be found in each chapter.
Introduction to the problem/research
Explain the topic or question that is the impetus/inspiration for the research
Give a brief description of the historic roots of the work and research,
Indicate what background/courses you have to prepare yourself for the area of research;
Avoid generalizations or other known statements. You are contributing new knowledge to the
field.
Thesis statement
A final thesis topic must be broad enough to interest others and be deemed worthy of scholarly
investigation, but narrow enough to do it justice in a thesis. Enough investigation will help turn
the broad area into a narrower issue, and eventually a researchable question.
Approach/methods
Selection of variables to be investigated
Test Procedures
Technical aspects of the creation of the work
Preliminary results and discussion
Discuss your inspiration and the concept you plan to communicate through your work.
Give a sense of the importance of the research
Show or reflect that you have done preliminary research;
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Work plan and time table
Describe your approach. What tools will you be using?
What are the technical and physical constraints of your work and how will you address the
issues.
Give an estimate of how much time you plan to dedicate to the completion of each part, and
when you estimate the document will be ready to begin the assessment process.
Implications of research
Explain how the study will add to the research already existing on the topic.
You should be conversant with your medium and the important contemporary creative works
published in your genre.
Annotated list of references/bibliography
The primary and secondary sources you plan to use in your study.
The review of the literature, visual imagery, technical documentation/developments, and historic
and contemporary aesthetics should be current and thorough, encompassing all pertinent
references.
Describe your source materials, both primary and secondary, where they can be found, and how
you plan to use them. If you plan to access sources that have been used in other studies, explain
how your approach to them will differ so that your conclusions will offer something new to the
field.
Tell how you will analyze your source material in order to gather the necessary data to support
your arguments.
Defend the Thesis Proposal
Candidates are responsible for arranging the date and location with the candidates reading committee to
defend the thesis proposal. The proposal should be submitted to all members of the committee at
minimum of two weeks prior to the defense. The defense should be held at least one week prior to the
Graduate School deadline for submission of theses which is usually scheduled two weeks before the last
day of classes. In order to complete ARTS 576 Thesis Preparation, candidates must make any
recommended revisions, submit the final proposal to their reading committee for review, and obtain
signatures of approval from the Thesis Committee, Thesis Adviser, the Director of the MFA, and the
Dean of the Graduate School.
Submit Thesis Proposal to the Graduate School
The approved proposal with the required signatures on the cover page must be submitted to the Graduate
School Office prior to the Graduate School Thesis deadlines, two weeks prior to the end of the semester.
The graduate school will review the proposal and the Dean of the Graduate school will sign the original
cover page. The signature of the Dean of the Graduate School on the proposal cover sheet signifies
acceptance of the thesis proposal and allows the student to complete the registration process for ARTS
580 Thesis Research.
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ARTS 580 THESIS RESEARCH
The master of fine arts (M.F.A.) degree in studio art is the recognized terminal degree in the visual arts.
The MFA Standards established by the College Art Association Board of Directors and the National
Association of Schools of Art and Design read:
“The MFA degree demands the highest level of professional competency in the visual arts and
contemporary practices. To earn an MFA, a practicing artist must exhibit the highest level of
accomplishment through the generation of a body of work. The work needs to demonstrate the
ability to conceptualize and communicate effectively by employing visual language to interpret
ideas. In addition, the MFA recipient must give evidence of applying critical skills that pertain to
meaning and content, ultimately encouraging a comprehensive examination and critique of the
function and role of art from a variety of views and contexts.
Regardless of the chosen area of concentration, an MFA candidate must be able to prove not
only strong conceptual development, but also the skillful execution of tools, materials, and
craft.”
ARTS 580 Thesis Research provides the opportunity to proceed with in-depth research in the candidates
chosen area. The master’s thesis must exhibit qualities that are associated with original research:
scholarship, logical consistency, creativity, and comprehensiveness.
The candidate is expected to produce a significant body of work and supporting documentation
of the aesthetic and technical research as evidence of his or her growing ability to develop and
continue an aesthetic and technical dialogue.
Mastery of one’s materials is essential if an artist is to be able to fully communicate ideas to an
audience. The technical component of the written thesis, the research and documentation of
materials, methods and discoveries, includes investigation and critical analysis of the findings in
terms of the relevance to the artist’s own ideas and conveys the research necessary to the creative
process.
The exploration of the artist’s interests, ideas and discoveries constitute a body of artistic
problems whose solution takes the form of personal creative work. The appearance and material
choices of the work must be thought out, deliberate, and defensible.
Registering for Thesis Credits
Candidates writing a thesis must register during the regular graduate school registration period for the
six credit course ARTS 580 Thesis Research. The thesis requires planning on the part of the student
well in advance of the semester in which the student wishes to enroll. Students first develop the proposal
in consultation with the project advisor. Once the proposal is approved, the student submits a
“Permission to Enroll” form to the Graduate School and formally enrolls in the thesis.
Registration for ARTS 580 requires payment for the full six credits during the first semester of
enrollment. If the thesis is not completed within the first semester of registration, a grade of IP (In
Progress) will be assigned each semester of acceptable ongoing research until the thesis has been
completed, defended, and finalized.
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The student must register for ARTS 580 each semester as the research progresses. It is the candidate’s
obligation to inform the thesis committee of progress, submit drafts of the research, request regular
studio visits with the thesis adviser to discuss progress, meet with other members of the thesis
committee as needed, and facilitate the scheduling of meetings of the thesis committee. The candidate
will provide the thesis committee with regular updates on the progress of the research and writing, and
must meet with the thesis committee a minimum of once per semester in order to obtain the grade of IP.
More frequent contact is recommended. Creative work must also be accomplished as part of the research
and writing process for ARTS 580 to demonstrate the validity of the research. MFA candidates are
required to submit the finished draft of their written thesis at the completion of ARTS 580 before
concurrent registration for ARTS 595 begins.
Continuing Registration
The grade for ARTS 580 will continue as IP until the following are accomplished:
Culmination of the written component
Public presentation of the thesis work in the thesis exhibition and public lecture
The final oral defense of the thesis
Approval of the thesis committee
Final signatures of the thesis committee members, thesis adviser, and dean of the graduate
school are obtained
Submission of the completed MFA thesis to the Graduate School according to the
Graduate school thesis guidelines and within the graduate school thesis deadlines
Concurrent Registration
The final step in the M.F.A. thesis process, registration for ARTS 595 Thesis Exhibition, should occur
after completion, review and revisions of the written component, completion of research for the object
component, and initial approval by the thesis committee of all thesis research and all but the finish of the
final aesthetics chapter. An informal thesis research committee defense will occur at the end of ARTS
580 before the student is allowed to proceed to ARTS 595 Thesis Research. The candidate must meet
with the thesis committee in advance of the informal thesis defense to review the research and the final
draft of the written thesis. After all revisions are addressed the candidate will present the final draft to
the thesis committee a minimum of two weeks in advance of the informal defense. The informal thesis
defense will prepare the candidate for their final defense, cite any problems that may need to be
addressed, and allow an opportunity to discuss the plans for the next step in the thesis process, ARTS
595 Thesis Exhibition.
The final written thesis cannot be completed without the possibility of needed revisions and the
inclusion of images of thesis art work completed during ARTS 595 Thesis Exhibition, the exhibition and
public lecture and the final thesis defense. Therefore, registration for ARTS 580 continues concurrent
with registration for ARTS 595, Thesis Exhibition until all requirements for the MFA thesis are met.
Approval to Register for ARTS 595
The final draft of the written component of the thesis (as complete and polished as possible with only the
last chapter discussing the work created for the exhibition left unfinished) must be approved by the
thesis committee at the informal thesis defense before the candidate will be allowed to register for ARTS
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595 Thesis Exhibition. Upon acceptance of the final draft of the thesis research, the candidate must
present the title page for the Final Draft of the MFA Thesis (see the appendix for sample title pages) and
secure the signatures of the thesis committee, program director and dean of the graduate school. The
signed title page of the final draft of the MFA Thesis must be delivered to the graduate school records
manager two business days before the starting date of classes each semester. Please consult the Hood
College calendar for the official dates.
Application for Graduation
Upon receiving approval of the thesis committee for registration in ARTS 595, the candidate must apply
for graduation. The deadline for application is usually the end of the second week of the semester the
candidate plans on graduating.
ARTS 595 THESIS EXHIBITION
The course ARTS 595 provides for the application of the conceptual and technical research completed
during ARTS 580. The application of the knowledge and skills gained during thesis research manifests
in the creation of the work for exhibition during ARTS 595 Thesis Exhibition. The critical analysis of
the exhibition work-in-progress and dedication to the discovery of universal aesthetics are essential parts
of the thesis process. While projects, workshops, courses, and independent studies are the candidate's
primary path towards making art and obtaining the skills and education necessary for functioning as an
artist, critiques provide the essential synthesis of these discoveries, the opportunity to share the eyes,
minds and hearts of our colleagues in the process of evaluation and understanding of our work. The
ongoing interaction and evaluation allows the candidate to take the next step in their creative
development. The willingness to evaluate revise and reevaluate is the research that pushes the work to
the next level of development suitable for presentation to the public in an exhibition, lecture and
discussion. Thesis research culminates with the completion of the art work for exhibition, the finish of
the written thesis, and the opening of the thesis exhibition. The MFA candidate will present an
exhibition of their work, a formal public defense in the form of a public lecture covering the scope of the
thesis research, as well as a private defense in front of the thesis committee, thesis adviser, and dean of
the graduate school. Preparation for the public exhibition, public lecture and thesis defense is considered
part of ARTS 595 Thesis Exhibition.
MFA THESIS DEFENSE
The MFA Thesis Defense includes:
A public exhibition of the candidate’s body of creative work
A public lecture encompassing the scope of the thesis research
A convening of the MFA defense committee to discuss, evaluate, and critique the MFA thesis
and make a determination on the awarding of the MFA degree.
MFA Thesis Exhibition
The thesis exhibition is a solo public showing of the object component of the thesis research and is the
culmination of thesis research. The exhibition will vary with each project. The student is responsible for
contacting the curator of Hodson Gallery in February (prior to the yearly gallery scheduling) one year in
advance of the needed exhibition time in order to reserve the exhibition, lecture, and reception dates and
times. The student is responsible for all aspects of the thesis exhibition including informing the Graduate
Page 15 of 31
School staff of the time and date of the thesis exhibition, the exhibition design and installation, and the
creation and dissemination of publicity materials to generate an audience. The college will provide the
exhibition space and the currently available gallery furniture and lighting. Any other exhibition
needs are the responsibility of the student.
MFA Thesis Lecture
The MFA Thesis Lecture is the candidate’s public presentation of the thesis data. Open to faculty,
students, other invitees, and the general public, the thesis lecture culminates in a question and answer
period which serves as a public thesis defense. The lecture must fall within the dates of the MFA
exhibition and be completed before the graduate school thesis deadlines. The lecture must be scheduled
after the opening of the thesis exhibition and may be held immediately preceding or following the
exhibition reception.
The lecture should include but is not limited to the following:
Aesthetic influences
Historical references
Details of the research
Documentation of process
Images of the thesis art work
Conclusions
MFA Oral Thesis Defense
A final oral defense of the thesis is required and will be conducted by the Reading Committee at an
agreed upon date and at a specified location. The formal thesis defense in front of the thesis committee
will occur after the thesis exhibition is set and open to the public.
To schedule a location on campus, the Graduate School Program Assistant for the MFA degree program
should be contacted. Defense dates should not be set until the Thesis Chair and the Reading Committee
approve the thesis draft and finished art work. At least two weeks before the oral defense the student
should submit the thesis, in final form, to their academic adviser, Reading Committee chair and
members, the Program Director and the Dean of the Graduate School. The Dean of the Graduate School
and the Program Director should be invited to attend the defense, whether or not they are members of
the Reading Committee.
The candidate should expect to present the thesis research and findings in a professional manner, similar
to presentations at a professional meeting. The use of a power point with well-prepared graphs, charts,
and other explanatory aids is encouraged. The candidate will be expected to explain the research and to
answer questions relating to the thesis topic.
The oral defense may be attended by members of the sponsoring department, the Dean of the Graduate
School, and others in the research group interested in the topic, subject to the approval of the Reading
Committee. The question and answer session is closed and attended only by the student, the Reading
Committee members, the Program Director, the Dean of the Graduate School, and (at the candidate’s
request) members of the Departmental Graduate Faculty.
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Approval of the MFA Thesis
The thesis is approved after the opening of the exhibition, public lecture, oral defense and after
corrections recommended by the Thesis Chair, the Reading Committee, the Program Director and the
Dean of the Graduate School have been completed. Signatures on the title page indicate approval.
(Names of individuals who sign the title page should be typed below the signature line.) Final
Committee authorization and signatures of the Program Director and the Dean of the Graduate School
are required before the thesis is submitted to the library for binding. Copies of the title page submitted
to the Graduate School should bear original signatures, not photocopies.
Grade for Thesis
The thesis is graded "S" (satisfactory) or "U" (unsatisfactory). After satisfactory completion of the first
semester of thesis research, the Thesis Chair awards an interim grade of “IP”. The Thesis Chair awards
the final grade. The grade of "S" has no effect upon the student's grade point average. The grade of "U"
has the same effect as a grade of "F" (failure). A final grade of "U" on the thesis usually results in the
student's dismissal from the MFA degree program.
An unsatisfactory performance at the Oral Defense of thesis may result in the student's dismissal from
the Master's Degree program. The Program Director, in consultation with the Adviser, the Reading
Committee and the Dean of the Graduate School, may allow the student one additional opportunity to
defend the thesis. Unsatisfactory performance at the retake will result in dismissal with no additional
opportunities to complete the degree.
Tangible Documentation of Thesis Exhibition
Candidate is required to submit tangible documentation of the thesis work in addition to the
bound thesis document. Documentation of all theses must be submitted to the College for a permanent
file record. The documentation should be selected from the thesis exhibition and adequately represent
the nature, scope, and intent of the thesis work. There are advantages to you, such as a line for the
candidate’s resume under "Permanent Collections."
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SECTION III
PREPARATION FOR THESIS PUBLICATION
Introduction
Theses will be written according to the format and style described in established publication manuals.
Candidates in Ceramic Arts will follow the format and style of the Chicago Manual of Style. The
Chicago Manual of Style is available in the reference section of the Hood College Beneficial-Hodson
Library, as well as in the Hood College Bookstore and other bookstores.
The following paragraphs address requirements for thesis preparation, which apply to all students
preparing a thesis. Candidates are advised also to follow the more specific guidelines contained in the
Chicago Manual of Style.
THESIS REQUIREMENTS FOR ALL STUDENTS
Copyright
Under the Copyright Act of 1976, the "copyright in the work of authorship" becomes the property of the
author who created it. For further information, please refer to the Copyright Office, Library of
Congress, Washington, D.C. 20559.
Students completing a thesis must take care to obtain permission before using copyrighted materials
within their thesis. Permission to use copyrighted materials, for example, tables and figures, must be
obtained from the holder of the copyright. The student needs to search carefully for the source of the
copyright and obtain permission to use the copyrighted materials in the thesis document. The
permission to use copyrighted materials should be referenced in the thesis at the point where such
materials are presented. The student must retain copies of the copyright permissions, and supply them to
Hood College upon request (See below for a sample copy right request). Students completing a thesis
are able to facilitate the use of their thesis research and findings by including a copyright waiver as part
of the thesis document. (See the following paragraph.)
Copyright Waiver
In order to permit others to utilize the thesis research and findings, the following statement should
appear in the thesis on a separate page immediately following the title page, with the heading in standard
format: “I do/do not authorize Hood College to lend this thesis, or reproductions of it, in total or in part,
at the request of other institutions or individuals for the purpose of scholarly research. Signed
__________________” Circle your choice and sign the page.
Acknowledgment of Hood College in Publications of Thesis Work
The Graduate School of Hood College should be acknowledged in publications that result from the
thesis research. A simple statement of acknowledgment is sufficient. An appropriate example would be
"Research reported in this document was originally published in a Master's degree thesis sponsored
by the Department and submitted to The Graduate School of Hood College in Frederick, Maryland."
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Thesis Paper and Printing
The original copy of the thesis for the Hood College Library should be on thesis paper, which is
available from the Hood College Bookstore or other office supply store. A second identical copy, for
the sponsoring department, is also required. The minimum requirement is a 20 lb., 25% rag or cotton
content paper. Additional copies may be made at the discretion of the student. However, waiting for the
Reading Committee's final approval before producing multiple copies will help to avoid unnecessary
expense. The thesis should be typed or produced on a high quality laser or ink jet printer. Both official
thesis documents (for the Library and the Department) must be originals, not photocopies. Font sizes of
12 point are recommended for thesis work. Standard typefaces should be used, either proportional or
moonscape. Justification at the right margin is optional. Reduction of Tables or Figures such that type
size is smaller than 10 point is not acceptable.
Headings, Spacing, and Margins
Section headings should contain all uppercase letters, is boldface, and centered at the top of a new page.
All text should be double spaced with a left hand margin of 1.5 inches (3.8 cm.) and with right, top, and
bottom margins of 1.0 inch (2.5 cm.). The Graduate School will not accept theses that violate these
margin requirements.
The one exception to this is on a "facing" legend page where the right margin (adjacent to the spine) is
1.5 inches and the left margin (toward the outer edge) is 1 inch. The margin requirements apply to all
tables and figures as well as pages with text. A facing figure legend page and the figure together have
one page number.
Binding and Distribution
The original typed or printed thesis copy becomes the property of the Hood College Beneficial-Hodson
Library. The sponsoring department retains the second copy for its files. Title pages for both of these
copies must bear original signatures (not photocopies) of the Adviser, Reading Committee members,
Program Director, and Graduate School Dean. Additional copies may be bound at the student’s request
for an additional fee. A third copy, preferably in electronic form, is required for submission to UMI
ProQuest for archiving and electronic publication. All final copies are to be submitted to the Graduate
School prior to the published deadline for each academic semester. The Graduate School will send the
theses to the Library for binding, archiving, and electronic publishing. Instructions for binding and
guidelines for archiving and electronic publishing have been published by the Hood College Beneficial-
Hodson Library and are included in Section II of this document. The student is responsible for all fees
associated with the binding, archiving and electronic publishing of their thesis.
Deadlines
The importance of observing published deadlines for final submission of the completed and approved
thesis cannot be overemphasized. Students are urged to follow closely and carefully the published dates
for thesis submission. Arrangements for the oral defense of the thesis should be made early enough to
allow time for completion of required corrections. Prior planning will enable the candidate to earn the
Master's Degree at the earliest possible date. Past experience has shown that the most common reason
for thesis candidates to receive their diplomas later than anticipated is because of poor planning with
respect to the deadlines.
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As a general guideline, all theses are due in final form with signed cover pages to the Graduate
School two weeks prior to the last day of classes in the fall or spring semester. However, be sure to
check the Catalog or contact the Graduate School to confirm the assigned date each term.
For Further Information
Students are encouraged to visit the Hood College Beneficial-Hodson Library to examine recent theses.
Requests for theses should be made at the circulation desk. Specific questions regarding the mechanics
of the thesis are answered best in the Chicago Manual of Style. If questions are not answered in these
manuals, present the questions in writing to the Program Director.
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SECTION IV
PUBLICATION GUIDELINES FOR MASTER OF FINE ARTS THESES AT HOOD COLLEGE
Preliminary pages
All of the below-named sections should begin on separate pages and must be double-spaced.
The preliminary pages should be numbered in lower case Roman numerals located at the bottom center
of each page. The title page is counted as page “i” but is not numbered. The preliminary pages should
appear in the order specified below.
a. Title page (see sample page in this document
b. Statement of Use and Copyright waiver (see example page)
c. Abstract
d. Dedication (this page is optional)
e. Acknowledgements and Sponsorship
f. List of Tables – should include the page location of each table, and short legends
g. List of Figures – should include the page location of each Figure, and short legends
h. List of Abbreviations (optional)
Main body of the text
The main body of the text should be numbered in Arabic numerals located at the bottom center of each
page. The first page is counted as page “1” but is not numbered. If you use chapters, each chapter
should begin on a new page.
Content Sections
Section headings should be centered, capitalized, and should begin on a new page. Content sections are
presented according to the following guidelines:
Abstract -- The abstract should be a short, concise summary of the thesis project outlining the purpose of
the work, the rationale and method, and highlighting the most significant findings. The maximum length
of the abstract is 150 words.
Introduction -- This section is used to describe the rationale for the project and to provide an overview
of previously published relevant work that serves as a foundation and prelude to the thesis. Thus, it
encompasses the introduction, rationale, and review of the primary literature often used in grant
proposals and publications. If a hypothesis is being tested, it is often stated explicitly in the
introduction. The introduction should make clear the significance of the research in the context of the
wider body of the current ceramic arts aesthetics today and the scientific knowledge needed to support
the aesthetic direction, and should have a clear statement of purpose. The review of the literature should
be current and thorough, encompassing all pertinent references. Subheadings may be used, and are
helpful for organizing the information. In general, it is better to err in favor of excess length than to
abbreviate this section. Tables and figures may be used in the introduction.
Materials and Methods -- This section should describe in detail all of the methods, protocols, materials,
equipment, etc. used to conduct the research. In a thesis, as contrasted to a journal article, the purpose of
this section is to provide enough information so that another knowledgeable person could duplicate the
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data with only the thesis available as an information source. Tables and figures may be included in this
section (see below).
The Materials and Methods section should:
Clearly state all of the procedures performed by the candidate
Identify sources of compounds not prepared by the candidate.
Describe data collection and analysis methods (e.g. description of statistical analyses)
Use abbreviations if necessary, but keep use consistent.
Tabulate abbreviations in the preliminary pages (see above).
Spell out numbers only if they begin a sentence.
Results -- This section presents a comprehensive picture of all the research results and data. More data
is included in a thesis than in a journal article. The supporting data are included whereas in a paper the
results would be described briefly. Preliminary standardization of an assay, would be incorporated so
that someone reading the thesis would be instructed and fully informed.
Use of table and figures in the results section:
Tables and figures should be on the page immediately following their first mention in the
text.
It is also permissible to incorporate tables and figures into the text at the point where they are
mentioned.
Tables and figures are numbered consecutively (Arabic numerals) throughout the thesis
document.
Numbering for tables and figures is independent (start at Table 1 and Figure 1, etc.).
Each table or figure has a legend and a title, and is listed by page number in the contents pages.
If space for the legend is a problem, the facing page method can be used. In this case, the
figure and its legend share one page number.
Each figure or table is interpreted and explained in the text.
Write out descriptions of all the tabular and figure data as part of the text, along with appropriate
comments and observations relating to collection of the data.
Discussion – Subsequent to presentation of the actual data in the results section, the discussion section
presents critique and interpretation, conclusions and comparative findings with other reported data.
Where there is validation of findings or disagreement with suggest reasons and explanations include
descriptions of future directions for research.
References -- The list of references in the references section should be single spaced and arranged
alphabetically by first author. No numbering should be used. Include the names of all authors and
editors, as well as full titles, and starting and ending page numbers. Examples of appropriate reference
format can be found in the Chicago Manual of Style.
End Note ®, a commercial reference management software package is available to all Hood students.
This software can be used to manage references and bibliographies.
Internet references -- References to pages on the World Wide Web should not normally be used, since
such references often change or become unavailable. In certain cases, e.g., Genbank references, where it
is likely that the cited material will be continuously available, such references are permitted.
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Appendices -- Some data may be included in appendices if the data are (a) not original work of the
candidate, but required to understand the thesis, (b) useful, but not results of research (tables of common
data), or (c) so extensive it may interrupt the flow of the thesis (e.g., many photographs or specialized
graphics). It is unusual to use an appendix in a thesis. One common usage, however, is to place
reprints of journal articles describing thesis research in an appendix.
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APPENDICES
Copyright Letter Example
Date
Holder of Copyright
Street Address
City, State Zip
Dear Holder of Copyright:
I am a graduate student pursuing an MFA in Ceramic Arts at Hood College in Frederick Maryland. My
thesis is __________. I am requesting permission to include in my thesis the following material:
(Include all relevant information about your request: title, page numbers, year of publication, etc.)
If permission is granted, proper acknowledgement and credit will be incorporated in the thesis
document.
Sincerely,
Your Name
Contact Information
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Sample Title Page for Thesis Proposal
TITLE OF THESIS
by
Author
Undergraduate degree (college or university name) year of graduation
THESIS PROPOSAL
Submitted in partial satisfaction of the requirements
for the degree of
MASTER OF ARTS
in
CERAMIC ARTS
in the
GRADUATE SCHOOL
of
HOOD COLLEGE
May 2009
Accepted:
______________________ __________________________
(Type Name) (Type Name)
Committee Member Program Director, Joyce Michaud, M.F.A.
______________________
(Type Name)
Committee Member
______________________ __________________________
(Type Name) Allen P. Flora, Ph. D.
Thesis Adviser Dean of the Graduate School
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Sample Title Page for Completion of Final Draft
TITLE OF THESIS
by
Author
Undergraduate degree (college or university name) year of graduation
FINAL DRAFT OF THESIS
Submitted in partial satisfaction of the requirements
for the degree of
MASTER OF ARTS
in
CERAMIC ARTS
in the
GRADUATE SCHOOL
of
HOOD COLLEGE
May 2009
Accepted:
______________________ __________________________
(Type Name) Joyce Michaud, M.F.A.
Committee Member Director of the MFA in Ceramic Arts
______________________
(Type Name)
Committee Member
______________________ __________________________
(Type Name) Allen P. Flora, Ph. D.
Thesis Adviser Dean of the Graduate School
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Sample Thesis Title Page
TITLE OF THESIS
by
Author
Undergraduate degree (college or university name) year of graduation
THESIS
Submitted in partial satisfaction of the requirements
for the degree of
MASTER OF ARTS
in
CERAMIC ARTS
in the
GRADUATE SCHOOL
of
HOOD COLLEGE
May 2009
Accepted:
______________________ __________________________
(Type Name) Joyce Michaud, M.F.A.
Committee Member Director of the M.F.A. in Ceramic Arts
______________________
(Type Name)
Committee Member
______________________ __________________________
(Type Name) Allen P. Flora, Ph. D.
Thesis Adviser Dean of the Graduate School
Title Page Signature Guidelines
Names of the individuals signing the title page should be typed in the space below their signature line,
above their title.
Page 27 of 31
HOOD COLLEGE BENEFICIAL-HODSON LIBRARY
INSTRUCTIONS FOR BINDING
The following procedures apply to Masters’ Theses, BMS Mock Grant Proposals, Humanities Capstone
Projects, BMS Master’s Field Work Projects, and ENV Independent Research Projects, all of which are
to be submitted to the Hood College Library for binding. A minimum of two copies (one for permanent
storage in the Library, and one for the originating Department) will be submitted for binding, and should
conform to the guidelines enumerated below.
All pages must have at least 1 ½ inch left margins, and 1 inch upper, bottom, and right margins. These
are minimum figures. Photocopies should have the same margins as originals. When making
photocopies, special care should be taken when placing the original on the machine so that copies are
neither off center nor out of alignment.
Page sequences should be correct and verified. The bindery will not correct pagination errors.
Pagination should be uniform and consecutive, i.e., all preliminary pages should appear in Roman
numerals in one sequence, and beginning with the title page (which is “page 1,” but is not numbered), all
content pages should appear in Arabic numerals in one sequence. If folded pages are included, then
these should be folded at least one inch from the right margin to prevent their being cut during the
trimming process at the bindery.
Supplementary materials, such as separate electronic disks or large maps or charts that are not to be
bound into the finished “book,” should be accompanied by an explanation of how they will be used in
relation to the project. E.g., an accompanying CD with raw statistical data might have a note appended
stating “Raw statistics, submitted as supporting documentation.” This helps the Library, as it prepares
the materials for the bindery, to determine the best way for the bindery to incorporate these materials
into the book.
If photographs are included, they should be firmly glued to standard 8 1/2 inch x 11-inch pages, and
should not move on the page when handled. Full-page photographs come out of the bindery process
best. Page protectors may NOT be used because they prevent trimming.
Lightweight papers must be avoided, both for the original and for copies; 20-pound bond paper is the
minimum requirement. Paper should be “bright white” in color. Extraneous decorations should not be
added to any page. Only the text (which includes, as applicable, charts, tables, illustrations, etc.) should
appear on the pages.
The Library asks that the following procedures be observed:
Projects ready for binding should be submitted to the Graduate Office in file folders or a box to
protect the pages. Please be sure that formatting guidelines have been followed and that all
necessary documentation accompanies your submission. Upon receipt, projects will be
forwarded to the Library Collection Development Services Department. Binding orders are sent
from the Library when a minimum order has been accumulated, therefore, there may be a delay
of several months from submission to the Graduate Office until projects are shipped to the
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bindery while the minimum number of items for binding is accumulated.
.
The Library will retain one original copy (with original signatures on the title page), and the
originating department will retain the second.
The author’s full name, address, telephone number and e-mail address should be included with
each copy to be bound.
The cost to the author for binding is $20.00 per copy. Multiple copies should be pre-sorted into
complete documents, so that each copy of your project has all of the requisite elements in its
proper place. Materials submitted to the Library go out with the next bindery shipment and are
usually returned to the Library within five weeks of shipment. Payment for binding is to be
made to the Graduate School, and checks for binding should be made payable to Hood College.
Students should consider whether they will be in a position to pick up personal copies from the
library when the binding is completed. If not, they can request that personal copies be mailed to
them. There is a charge of $5.00 per copy for this service. Mailing charges can be included in
the total for binding services, so only one check is necessary. As noted above, payment should
be made to the Graduate School, with checks payable to Hood College.
Upon receipt from the bindery, the Library's copy of the Master’s Project (Thesis, Mock Grant
Proposal, Capstone, Field Work Project, or Independent Research Project) is cataloged under
author, title, and appropriate subject entries. It is then shelved alphabetically by author's last
name in the Master’s Project section and is available for use only in the Library.
If the student has ordered additional personal copies of the thesis or project, he or she will be
notified by letter when the bound copies are received. It is expected that the student will pick the
materials up from the library upon notification.
GUIDELINES FOR ARCHIVING AND ELECTRONIC PUBLISHING
Guidelines for Submission of MFA Theses in Electronic Format
As of September 2004, archiving and electronic publication is a Hood College Graduate School
requirement for all theses. FTP submission to UMI Dissertations Publishing ProQuest Information and
Learning is the most efficient means of submission. Submission on CD-ROM is also supported.
Dissertations and theses on floppy disk cannot be submitted to UMI ProQuest.
Guidelines for Theses in Digital Format
The document should appear in Adobe PDF format. Compression of images is permitted; however,
please do not “zip” files. UMI ProQuest can make no changes to the document. Therefore, the burden of
how the document looks when it is accessed or printed is entirely the responsibility of the author. It is
strongly recommended that the author assume responsibility for reformatting the document into Adobe
PDF, checking the reformatted document for accuracy, and submitting the PDF document to the
graduate school or library for publication.
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All fonts used should be embedded in the document. External or internal links to multi-media files are
acceptable. If multi-media elements are used in the document, file formats should be identified in the
dissertation/thesis abstract. Acceptable file formats include the following:
Images Video Audio
GIF (.gif)
JPEG (.jpeg)
PDF (.pdf) use Type 1
PostScript fonts
TIFF (.tif)
Apple Quick Time (.mov)
Microsoft Audio Video
Interleaved (.avi)
MPEG (.mpg)
AIF(.aif)
CD-DA
CD-ROM/XA
MIDI (.midi)
MPEG-2
SND (.snd)
WAV (.wav)
Supporting Documents for Digital Format
Supporting documents must be submitted on thesis paper and be forwarded in an 8.5 X 11 envelope.
Those documents should include:
Title Page with Signatures
Abstract (limited to 150 words)
Completed Agreement Form – both sides
Cashiers Check, Certified Check or Money Order
Reprint Permission Letters
Third party software licenses, if required
Print and Electronic Access to Theses in Electronic Format
Theses received in digital format will be processed in a manner identical to paper documents.
Bibliographic citations and abstracts for these documents will be published in Dissertation Abstracts
International in print, on-line, CD-ROM and microform. Bibliographic information concerning these
documents will also be made available through the UMI ProQuest Dissertation Abstracts Database and
to a worldwide network of online information providers including OCLC and Dialog (r). The print
output of the document will be microfilmed and stored with the electronic segment of the document in
UMI ProQuest 's vaults. The PDF format of the document will be loaded into UMI ProQuest Digital
Dissertations, a digital archive of dissertations and theses. UMI ProQuest will check for document
integrity and copyright compliance. If the document appears to be incomplete or if there are questions
about the reproduction of previously copyrighted materials, publication will be delayed until those
concerns are resolved.
MFA Theses as Compound Documents
A compound document contains both text on paper and other information only available in and
accessible through a specific electronic format. For example: Geography: an analysis of the topography
of a region is accompanied by a computer simulated "flight" through that area on CD.
Supporting Documents for Compound Documents
Supporting documents must be submitted on thesis paper and be forwarded with the CD-ROM in an
8.5 x 11 envelope. Those documents should include:
Title Page with Signatures
Abstract (limited to 150 words)
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Completed Agreement Form – both sides
Cashiers Check, Certified Check or Money Order
Reprint Permission Letters
Specifications of Hardware and Software Versions Required to Run the Electronic Component
Other applications: Any third party application used to calculate a problem, present a video clip or sound
recording or a combination of sound and video, a graph, picture, animation or representation, must be
licensed for commercial distribution. Without written permission, the document will not be distributed.
Disk Specifications
CD-ROM: ISO 96-60 for disk creation. Player or reader must be free ware or licensed third party
software. A copy of the application used to display, play or read the document must be available on the
CD and be fully licensed to be copied and installed on a reader's machine. Formats for Author Created
Programming: Anything that can be copied by machine at an operating system prompt.
Print and Electronic Access To and Distribution of Compound Documents
Compound documents will be processed in a manner similar to paper documents. Bibliographic citations
and abstracts for these documents will be published in the DAI/MAI complex in print, on-line, CD-
ROM and microform. The citation will indicate the nature and components of the document. The paper
segment of the document will be microfilmed and stored with the electronic segment of the document in
UMI's vaults. Compound documents will be distributed as hardbound publications only. Library
bindings allow the secure placement of a CD-ROM disk sleeve on the inside of the binding and proper
packaging of electronic segments.
MFA Theses on CD-ROM
ProQuest will accept Masters’ theses on CD-ROM under the following conditions: Software to display,
play or read the document is either ubiquitous free ware such as Netscape or Adobe Acrobat or is fully
licensed third party software. A copy of the application used to display, play or read the document is
available on the CD and is fully licensed to be copied and installed on a reader's machine.
Supporting Documents for CD-ROM
Supporting documents must be submitted on thesis paper and be forwarded with the CD in an 8.5 X
11 envelope. Those documents should include:
Title Page with Signatures
Abstract (limited to 150 words)
Completed Agreement Form – both sides
Cashiers Check, Certified Check or Money Order
Reprint Permission Letters to reproduce previously copyrighted materials within the body of the
work
A description of software or other applications used to create the CD-ROM disk, including a list
of files and file sizes on the CD-ROM disk
Copies of licenses for third party software necessary to access, display, run or print the
dissertation
Written permission to reproduce copyrighted images, video, graphics, animation, data and
images of individuals.
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Print and Electronic Access to and Distribution of CD's
Dissertations and Masters’ theses on CD will be processed in a manner similar to paper documents.
Bibliographic citations and abstracts for these documents will be published in the DAI/MAI complex in
print, on-line, CD-ROM and microform. The citation will indicate the nature of the document and that it
is only available in CD-ROM format. The master disk will be stored in UMI ProQuest’s vault.
Dissertations and Masters’ theses on CD-ROM will be distributed in CD-ROM format only.
Additional Requirements for Submission
Both sides of the Master’s Thesis Agreement Form must be completed and signed, a photocopy of the
title page with adviser signatures, and the 150-word abstract must be submitted to the Graduate School
office with the final copies of your thesis. In addition, a cashiers check, certified check, or money
order made payable to PQIL (ProQuest Information and Learning Company) for $65.00 must be
submitted to the Graduate School with the final copies of your thesis. This fee covers ProQuest’s costs
to process and store a copy of your thesis and to publish the citation and abstract on their website. The
fee also covers making the thesis itself available electronically at Hood, if you have authorized that.
If you wish, you may authorize ProQuest to apply for copyright for your thesis with the Library of
Congress. To do this, you must submit an additional cashier’s check, certified check, or money order
for $45, made payable to PQIL, and complete the “Authorization to Apply for Registration of My Claim
to Copyright,” which is located on the bottom of the back of the “Publishing Agreement Form.” The
copyright service through PQIL is optional.
For more information, contact UMI ProQuest at wwwlib.umi.com/dissertations/about_etds.
The Graduate School Office at Hood College may be reached at 401 Rosemont Avenue, Frederick, MD 21701;
by telephone at 301-696-3600, by facsimile at 301-696-3597, through the website at www.hood.edu/graduate,
or by e-mail at [email protected].
